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Dreaming of a Yellow Christmas

There’s a revolution going on in the Scottish music scene, writes Ruth MacGilp.

So rarely does a musician truly mean it when they claim they aren’t in it for the money. But Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 value their fans on another level. When you listen to their upbeat, genre-defying sounds, you become the‘6th Dijon’. Whether you physically join the warm and welcoming disco on stages across Scotland, or symbolically embrace the values of the Yellow Movement while munching on free festival bananas, the audience is at one with the musicians.

A few years ago in Glasgow, Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5 were playing a gig with funk and soul band the Mickey 9s. The Colonel proclaimed from the stage, “Fuck what the fashion houses of Paris, New York, Milan and London are saying… from now on Yellow is the new black.” Along with the Girobabies,Jamie & Shoony and The Twistettes, The Dijon 5 thereon initiated the Yellow Movement. It sprung from a shared desire to be the antithesis of the all too common news of darkness and destruction around the world. Part of their manifesto is to “Laugh until you no longer know what it is to hate”.

David Blair, one of the founders of the Yellow Movement (even proudly sporting a Colonel Mustard ink across his chest), has one idea to spread; a very simple one of pure, uninhibited silliness and joy. His manifesto covers a whole range of what this represents, from nuisance and amusement to non-violent direct action and positive cultural change.

In fact, The Yellow Movement was hugely active in supporting the independence referendum back in 2014, with performances at the George Square rally and several politically-charged anthems. David loves that: “Whilst everyone has their own political beliefs within the Yellow Movement, we prefer to focus on those common human desires we all share; a desire to be creative, sharing your art, being part of a meaningful community, making things happen and bringing people together”.

The mustardy message has been spread not just in Scotland but worldwide, with the Dijons performing across the UK and even playing at music festivals in South Korea. An overarching feeling of the movement is breaking down both physical and intangible barriers, so the world is an oyster to David, who believes that “the whole world needs more peace, love and mustard…You may say we are dreamers but we’re not the only ones.”

Later this month the Yellow Movement team are hosting night of live music in aid of Edinburgh-based charity Butterfly Trust, providing support for people affected by Cystic Fybrosis throughout Scotland. On Friday 16th December from 8pm (with free entry until the small hours) local indie pair Jamie and Shoony with a diverse selection of yellow-affiliated support acts will be joining the party at Stramash in the Cowgate, Edinburgh.

Overall, the Yellow Movement is an insistent belief that music breaks down barriers, brings people together and makes them happy. It’s that simple.